JCMGA Fall Board Retreat Meeting Minutes October 4, 2024

Board Members Present (In-Person or Via Zoom):

Barbara Low, President, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair

Marcie Katz, Past President, Spring Garden Fair WG Co-Chair

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Pam Hillers, Archivist

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large & Spring Garden Fair WG Co-Chair

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Jane Moyer, Fundraising WG Chair

Janine Salvatti, Gardens WG Chair

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Board Members Absent:

Ronnie Budge, Community Outreach WG Chair

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Call to Order:  The retreat was called to order at 9:33am by President Barbara Low.

Agenda:  President Low introduced the agenda for the retreat which included:

1. Review and Discuss the JCMGA 2024 Strategic Plan
2. JCMGA 2025 Board Nominations Update
3. Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee Update
4. Brainstorm Goals for Three-year and Five-year Plan

Review & Discuss the JCMGA 2024 Strategic Plan:  President Low led the Board through a review and discussion of the four strategic goals for 2024.  Attached is an updated plan based on the Board’s discussion.  The Board clarified their understanding of goals, discussed objective measurements including attendance, member survey feedback, and revenue generation.  The issue of potential paid labor was discussed as a possible need for the near future.  The association is clearly becoming more visible in the community with the increased community outreach activities achieved this year.  It was noted that efforts such as the Honey & Mead outreach participation, the OSU Foundation Student scholarship, the new member continuing education scholarship, and the Fall Festival Plant Sale need to be added to the strategic plan.

JCMGA 2025 Board Nominations Update:   Marcie Katz, Chair of the Nominations Committee provided the Board with an update on the 2025 slate of candidates.   All positions now have members willing to run for the Board.  A final slate will be presented to the Board at the October 11, 2024 for approval of the ballot.

Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee Update:  Jane Moyer, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee provided a brief update to the Board.  The Creepy Old House is now scheduled for demolition the first of the new year.  The Board’s previous questions for the potential contractor have been sent however no feedback has been received to date.

Brainstorm Goals for Three-year and Five-year Plan:  President Low led a brainstorming session on possible goals for the next three years and the next five years.

The JCMGA three-year plan might include:

• Growers and Farmers Markets – once a month
• Include a “Busy Homeowners Garden” (Chaos Garden)
• Leadership Training
  • More Board Training including Working Groups
  • Only have In-Person Board Orientation Training
• Encourage all SOREC programs to meet with us for monthly/quarterly meetings
• Encourage SOREC Programs to come together publicly
• Networking with other groups
  • potential volunteers
  • getting out into the community
• Practicum classroom, lathe house, and tool shed built
  • Business sponsors
• Expanding our matrix to collect hardcore data to make better decisions

The JCMGA five-year plan might include:

• Build new Greenhouse #1

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:30am

Next Meeting:    Regular Board meeting, Friday, October 11, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary